South Africa HIV Caseload Stable, Still Too High: Health Minister

From CDC National Prevention Information Network

October 6, 2009

Commenting on the release of a 2008 HIV prevalence study in which almost 40,000 women took part, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said, "We seem to be losing the battle, but not yet the war. The prevalence among women aged 25 years and above has stabilized at high and unacceptable levels." The research, which was conducted at state hospitals and clinics, showed that 29.3 percent of pregnant women in South Africa were HIV-positive -- a drop of just 0.1 point. The rate was 37.9 percent for women in their 20s, and 40.4 percent for women ages 30 to 34.

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